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Original poster

Neighbour is not going to like this...

22 replies

ShufflingWeasel · 02/08/2024 14:58

...but we want to put up a 6ft fence between our properties. It's currently only 4ft. Everybody agrees it's our fence, but our solicitors didn't give us anything on paper to prove it when we bought. Neighbour does not like change of any sort so is bound to hate it. How do we go about doing this without creating World War 3? I hate confrontation!

OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 02/08/2024 15:00

Leave that fence up and put the 6ft one up on your side, they will kick off either way just accept that.

SunnieShine · 02/08/2024 15:02

I would love a 6 ft fence, nice and private. Are you sure they won't be happy?

Lovelydovey · 02/08/2024 15:05

4 foot fence with 2 foot trellis on top? That's what we have and it's less imposing than a six foot fence.

twomanyfrogsinabox · 02/08/2024 15:06

Has it been adopted all down the road that each house 'owns' the left (or right) fence, very often it's just by common acceptance. On our road the right fence is ours and the left next doors (and the same all along the road), but nothing on any of the deeds.

blossomismyfriend · 02/08/2024 15:06

TomatoSandwiches · 02/08/2024 15:00

Leave that fence up and put the 6ft one up on your side, they will kick off either way just accept that.

This

They won't be able to object at all over something that's on your land. It's not worth arguing over whose is the existing fence and it means you don't have to ask them permission or even inform them about the new fence.

Lifestooshort71 · 02/08/2024 15:07

I'd talk to them first tbh.

user98265528790 · 02/08/2024 15:14

Lovelydovey · 02/08/2024 15:05

4 foot fence with 2 foot trellis on top? That's what we have and it's less imposing than a six foot fence.

This is a good idea.
We have a tall fence, think its probably 6ft plus 2ft trellis and it catches the wind like a sail so often needs replacing. Just something to bear in mind OP. You’ll need sturdy concreted in posts.

pizzaHeart · 02/08/2024 15:14

I would tell them that you are going to do this but have my arguments ready e.g we are putting it on our side ( and do this) I think it depends why they are against it - is it about a shadow to their small garden or is it about wanting to chat? I would be more considerate if it’s about the shadow.
MIL did this and her neighbors were practically shouting abuse at her during the works but a few years later they said that it’s really a good thing to do. 🤷‍♀️

MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 02/08/2024 15:16

If you double up on fences, just beware you will be gifting them a strip of your garden. Your new fence will in effect become the boundary line.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 02/08/2024 15:24

We've got a 6 footer.Love it .

papadontpreach2me · 02/08/2024 15:25

TomatoSandwiches · 02/08/2024 15:00

Leave that fence up and put the 6ft one up on your side, they will kick off either way just accept that.

@ShufflingWeasel

This is what we did. Neighbour not happy at all but nothing he can do about it. It's much more private without him looking over all the time.

oakleaffy · 02/08/2024 15:31

Good fences make good neighbours.
Surely everyone likes a good, high private fence.

I lived in a victorian terrace once that has such low garden walls, you could see right along the row- then one by one as the older people died, high fences were put up.
The older ones said they used to like to shout across the gardens to each other.

Currently have a 2 metre fence.

blossomismyfriend · 02/08/2024 15:32

MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 02/08/2024 15:16

If you double up on fences, just beware you will be gifting them a strip of your garden. Your new fence will in effect become the boundary line.

It's worth it just to avoid the agro and it doesn't sound as though they have proof of existing fence ownership anyway. The existing boundary still applies and it'll only be a few inches.

I don't know why people are so weird about fences.

Onehotday · 02/08/2024 15:33

Who cares if they're happy or not? It's your fence.

MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 02/08/2024 15:34

blossomismyfriend · 02/08/2024 15:32

It's worth it just to avoid the agro and it doesn't sound as though they have proof of existing fence ownership anyway. The existing boundary still applies and it'll only be a few inches.

I don't know why people are so weird about fences.

Show quote history

It's good information to know, IMO. Land is valuable and boundary disputes VERY costly.

Doggymummar · 02/08/2024 15:36

If the good side faces you, it's yours if the bad side faces you, it's theirs.

BaconMassive · 02/08/2024 15:43

Doggymummar · 02/08/2024 15:36

If the good side faces you, it's yours if the bad side faces you, it's theirs.

nonsense

Emptyandsad · 02/08/2024 15:48

Doggymummar · 02/08/2024 15:36

If the good side faces you, it's yours if the bad side faces you, it's theirs.

The convention is, I think (certainly where I live), that you give your neighbour the good side and you have the side with the frame on. But it's only a convention, not a law or regulation.

Also, check your deeds for any restrictions on fence height. In my road we are not allowed to have fences higher than 5' because of a requirement written into the deeds at the time the houses were built. I would imagine that if your neighbour agreed then no-one would complain but best to check what the situation is

Turophilic · 02/08/2024 15:50

Doggymummar · 02/08/2024 15:36

If the good side faces you, it's yours if the bad side faces you, it's theirs.

This is not true. Whoever owns the fence can have it any way they like.

S0livagant · 02/08/2024 15:53

oakleaffy · 02/08/2024 15:31

Good fences make good neighbours.
Surely everyone likes a good, high private fence.

I lived in a victorian terrace once that has such low garden walls, you could see right along the row- then one by one as the older people died, high fences were put up.
The older ones said they used to like to shout across the gardens to each other.

Currently have a 2 metre fence.

Edited

No, not everyone likes them. They block the light, affecting how long you get sun to sit out or grow vegetables.

guineverehadgreeneyes · 02/08/2024 15:56

If you have a mortgage contact the building society and ask for a copy of the ground plan from the deeds. There will likely be boundary arrows which will in indicate who owns each fence.

If you own the property outright and you hold the deeds bundle, check the plans.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 02/08/2024 15:57

Lovelydovey · 02/08/2024 15:05

4 foot fence with 2 foot trellis on top? That's what we have and it's less imposing than a six foot fence.

This is what I'd do, it's a good compromise and get some evergreen clematis growing up it and very soon you'll have a 6ft fence .

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